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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Characters 101

First off, I want to thank you all for sharing your stories and being so supportive of my September 11th experience. I almost didn't post it, but many bloggers encouraged me to tell my story. So, thank you all, so very much.

Second, I've got the grippe. Or whatever. I'm phlegmy and headachey and I feel like someone put my sinuses into a can of leftover Fresca and smashed it to smithereens, then force-fed me sandpaper. Yes, that's me.

This month's Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog question comes from Sarah Fine. She asks,

"How do you develop your characters? Do you flesh out the details before (like writing as that character, writing backstory, or filling out a questionnaire about their preferences and history) or invent as you go?"

I have previously blogged about using character sheets, which I find pretty helpful. I like the idea of getting to know my characters before I write. What does they like to wear? What are their quirks? Strengths and weaknesses?

But lately, I've noticed that even if I fill out a sheet and *think* I know her well, I usually have to go back and do some major character refurbishing anyway.

The truth is, no matter how detailed an outline I have, scenes and plotlines often must be deconstructed and reconstructed, and the characters aren't immune to change either.

So the answer to Sarah's question? I do both.

Also, for the minor characters, I usually invent their characteristics as I write. :) Because I'm a little bit outliner, a little bit "pants-and-roll."

Last week, Laura answered the question and next week, we get to hear Sarah tackle it, then Deb.

My stories are usually completely character-driven, which means (for me), that the characters develop in my head so fully before I ever start writing that I don't even need a character sheet or anything like that. I usually just know them so well that I already know what they will wear, how they will respond, what they will eat, etc, in any given situation. Pretty fun, except when they take over my story due to their strong personalities, and it's all I can do to catch up!

My process has changed over several books. I've been using John Truby's The Anatomy of Story for my current project. You do A LOT of figuring out of the characters before hand. It's still not enough for me, but it's an awesome start.

I used to fill in a questionnaire, but this time I cut out most of the questions. I ended up making my characters feel less real to more. Since I already know so much about them from John's exercises, I'm working on freestyle writing right now, and writing down whatever I feel is important to know about each character (like backstory), even if it doesn't end up in the book. The funny thing is I started out writing in third person, then at some point, switched to first as the character came to life on the page.

So sorry for your sinusy misery! That's the pits.I do the same with character construction as you do. I have to know my characters first, before writing the book. Then when I've written it, I find out I didn't know them as well as I needed to! Always an adventure.

I definitely invent as I go along. Its fun to watch as characters compete for page time with each other. Some characters charge to the front that originally I thought would have bit roles, while others fall to the wayside, waiting their turn in a sequel.

I usually have my lead characters pretty well developed before I start, lesser characters develop as I go. But sometimes a major character will want to do/say something that's...well, out of character. Then I have to go back and re-think my orignal descriptions.

I love character sheets too but I've recently discovered writing short stories about my characters on the side. They aren't anything I plan on putting in the novel which give me freedom to have fun with them and get to know my characters.

As for my characters, I see them in my mind before I create them. I'm a pantser by nature so I start out that way, and then boom! I get the whole picture. Though sometimes they surprise me and I find new and interesting tidbits about them along the way. So it's fun. :) Get better soon!

Ugh! Feel better *hands over a box of tissue..you know, the ones with lotion :D*

I'm a panster mostly. I do make outlines that turn into summaries and then evolve into part of the book I have to splice in eventually. I'd love to be able to use character sheets but I get board and leave them half finished!

I usually have my MC and my villain (because I always do have a villain) in my head before I start writing, and everybody else materializes as I go. I'm a panster all the way, though I might try something different for my next book.

On characters - I go with my gut. Writing character outlines, for me, are planting seeds... I forget about them and they grow on their own, as long as I'm watering them with enough writing. And my gut keeps me in check.

I ask of each of my characters : What drives them? Why What do they think will ease their particular inner demon or problem?

Is she a cat burglar? Why? What natural skills must she possess to even consider this occupation? What learned skills must she have to do her job? Where did she go to learn to be a cat burglar? Is she happy with her lot? Why? Why not?

As for characters, it depends. Some I just know for some reason right away. No planning needed. Some develop as I write, and some I think think think about and still don't feel like I've got a good handle on. Then I start talking about them to my husband, and voila! :D

I attended a conference workshop where we "put things in a box" for our character. The kind of box you think of is important, the shape, etc. Then we put in things like: what the character would hide, what the character admired, etc. More that just hair color, age, etc. It was a valuable exercise for me.

I'm so glad you shared your 9/11 experience. It's always good to remember a big event such as this by learning how other people lived through the day. I hope you get better soon. Drink lots of water!nutschellwww.thewritingnut.com

Hope you feel better soon! My sister got sick during our vacation & had to be nyquiled up too. :P

I'm a pantser straight through, so my characters reveal themselves to me as I go. I generally have a basic idea of what kind of person they are, but yeah, I can't always rattle off stats about their likes and dislikes if you ask.

I'm still figuring out my process when it comes to characters. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by character sheets so for now, I'm not using them. But this is one of my weaknesses so I need to study up and find other ways to strengthen my characters.

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